Abstract

Aderotimi Banso

Aqueous extracts of Monodora myristica and Zingiber officinale were assayed for their antifungal effect on Fusarium nivale, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from deteriorating sweet potatoes. Aqueous extracts of M. myristica and Z. officinale showed inhibitory effect against F. nivale, R. stolonifer and A. fumigatus in sweet potato juice. 3% (v/v) aqueous extract of M. myristica or Z. officinale reduced the growth of the fungi; however a combination of 2% each of both plant extracts retarded the growth better. Partial purification of the aqueous extract of M. myristica and Z. officinale showed that ethyl acetate fraction of the plant extracts exhibited the highest level of inhibition of growth of the test fungi compared with diethyl ether and n- hexane fractions. Extracts of M. myristica and Z. officinale may be important sources of preservative of root juices.